Capsule look at NFC teams

Associated Press

Published
8:20 pm PDT, Wednesday, September 5, 2018

WEST

L.A. RAMS (11-6)

Strengths: Offense returns with every important part from last season’s highest-scoring team in NFL, including entire line and Offensive POY Todd Gurley. Defense added DT Ndamukong Suh and CBs Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib. Special-teams units with four Pro Bowlers also return intact.

Expectations: Rams’ flashy offseason signings confirmed they expect to contend for first championship in 19 years. L.A. clearly has talent and experience to be among NFC’s top teams. Would be major step to defend NFC West title and win first back-to-back division crowns since 1979.

SEATTLE (9-7)

Strengths: Despite changes, still have one of best quarterbacks in Russell Wilson (career-high-tying 34 TD passes last season). RBs Chris Carson and rookie Rashaad Penny are major upgrade. Defense will be massively different but still has two of top LBs in Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright.

Weaknesses: Defense has major questions after departures of Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor. Holdout of safety Earl Thomas clouded entire preseason. Most holes on defense since 2011, last time Seattle finished with below-.500 record.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 60-1.

Over/under wins 7½.

Expectations: Seahawks continue to say roster turnover is part of reset but looks a lot like rebuild. This might not be team capable of winning NFC West. If concerns about roster prove accurate, could be longest, least successful season of Pete Carroll’s tenure.

ARIZONA (8-8)

Strengths: With return of RB David Johnson (out 15 games last season with broken wrist) and addition of QB Sam Bradford, head coach Steve Wilks and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Cardinals are building offense emphasizing running and short passing game. Waiting on sideline is 10th overall pick QB Josh Rosen should Bradford repeat his history of injury. DE Chandler Jones led NFL in sacks (17) last season.

Weaknesses: Arizona has great WR Larry Fitzgerald, who enters 15th season after finishing second in NFL in catches (109) one year ago. But position is question mark behind him. Other main concern is lack of depth at linebacker and on offensive line.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 120-1.

Over/under wins 6.

Expectations: Judging from Vegas and national predictors, expectations aren’t very high. Wilks is building around team’s top players, but it’s an uphill climb in NFC West. Schedule is brutal, with non-division games at Minnesota, Kansas City, Green Bay and Atlanta.

Weaknesses: Defense lacks depth at linebacker and is counting heavily on Jordan Hicks returning from his second Achilles tendon injury. Offensive line is inexperienced beyond starting five and backup T Halapoulivaati Vaitai.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 9-1.

Over/under wins 10½.

Expectations: Eagles trying to become only ninth team to repeat as Super Bowl champ and first since New England following 2004 season. It won’t be easy. Division opponents got better, and conference is tougher. If key players stay healthy, they could make another deep run.

DALLAS (9-7)

Strengths: Running game with Ezekiel Elliott, who is now free of suspension drama from a year ago. Offensive line still strong but facing big question with center Travis Frederick dealing with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which affects nervous system and has sidelined four-time Pro Bowler indefinitely. DE DeMarcus Lawrence tied for second in NFL with 14½ sacks last season.

Weaknesses: Safety is thin with move of Byron Jones to cornerback and hamstring injury that could sideline Xavier Woods at least for opener. Receiving corps largely unproven after retirement of TE Jason Witten.

Strengths: New QB Alex Smith gives Washington stability at the most important position under QB guru head coach Jay Gruden. Offensive line has five starters back with LT Trent Williams returning from major knee surgery. DL Jonathan Allen should improve run defense after missing most of rookie year.

Weaknesses: Injury woes that derailed last season continue to deplete depth. If RB Adrian Peterson doesn’t have much left at 33, Rob Kelley and Samaje Perine are same RBs who couldn’t establish consistent presence last season. Secondary is untested beyond CB Josh Norman and S D.J. Swearinger.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 90-1.

Over/under wins 7.

Expectations: If everything goes perfectly, Washington can challenge for NFC East title and make playoffs. More likely, it’s again a fringe playoff team and can finish anywhere from 6-10 to 10-6.

Weaknesses: For second straight year, offensive line is major concern. Pass blocking was adequate in preseason, but run game was nonexistent.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 40-1.

Over/under wins 7½.

Expectations: Everything went wrong last season and head coach Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese lost jobs in December. Getting back to playoffs would be good season in a tough division.

NORTH

MINNESOTA (14-4)

Strengths: Defense that led NFL in fewest yards and points allowed per game last season got stronger with free agent additions Sheldon Richardson (DT) and safety George Iloka. FS Harrison Smith and CB Xavier Rhodes headline a top secondary. Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs give newcomer QB Kirk Cousins one of best WR tandems in NFL.

Weaknesses: Running game. Ranked last in rushing last year, second time in three seasons, and might struggle again despite investments. Front seven on defense lacks playmakers.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 65-1.

Over/under wins 7½.

Expectations: First-year head coach Matt Patricia might not make average team better and third-year GM Bob Quinn might be questioned for record in draft and free agency. Fans are tired of pulling for team with one playoff victory since winning 1957 NFL title.

GREEN BAY (7-9)

Strengths: QB Aaron Rodgers healthy again after being limited to seven games because of collarbone injury. Strong starting five on line when healthy. D-line could be scary good with DE Muhammad Wilkerson joining already strong core of Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry.

Weaknesses: Poor showing by second-string line in third preseason game against Raiders again raised questions about quality depth beyond starters, particularly at tackle. Keeping Rodgers healthy of utmost importance. DeShone Kizer, acquired from Browns in offseason, is Rodgers’ new backup after Brett Hundley dealt to Seattle. Pass-rush options behind OLBs Clay Matthews and Nick Perry in question.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 14-1.

Over/under wins 10.

Expectations: Return to playoffs as long as Rodgers remains healthy. With fresh voice on defense with Mike Pettine, improvements on that side of ball may hold key to whether Pack can get back to top of division and make deep postseason run.

CHICAGO (5-11)

Strengths: Bears rebuilt offense around QB Mitchell Trubisky hoping to get most out of last year’s No. 2 overall draft pick. Chicago hired Matt Nagy to replace fired John Fox. Bears are banking on continuity, plus the trade for DE Khalil Mack, to turn defense that ranked 10th overall into elite unit.

Weaknesses: Nagy is in first head-coaching job after working under Andy Reid in Philadelphia and Kansas City. Trubisky is unproven. WR Allen Robinson is coming back from torn ACL in left knee during last year’s opener with Jacksonville. Guard Kyle Long is coming off two injury-riddled seasons.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 105-1.

Over/under wins 6½.

Expectations: Bears enter season believing better days are in store after four straight last-place finishes in NFC North. Bears obviously would love to see Trubisky make big jump in second year, like Carson Wentz, Jared Goff.

SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS (12-6)

Strengths: QB Drew Brees is 39 but has yet to show signs of decline and is aided by strong offensive line and strong running game. WR Michael Thomas is coming off 1,200-yard season.

Weaknesses: Not many, but pass rush could be one if All-Pro DE Cameron Jordan doesn’t get more help. DE Alex Okafor is trying to come back effectively from torn Achilles tendon. Interior defensive-line starters are third-year pros Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata, who’ve been reliable but with room to improve.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 16-1.

Over/under wins 9½.

Expectations: Barring injuries at key positions, or unanticipated sophomore slumps by RB Alvin Kamara and CB Marshon Lattimore (reigning Defensive Rookie of Year), Saints are primed to repeat as NFC South champs. New Orleans could vie for second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.

Weaknesses: Offensive line devastated by knee injuries in preseason, losing three starters (LT Matt Kalil, RT Daryl Williams and LG Amini Silatulo) to injuries — although none considered season-ending. Roster getting old fast with several core players on wrong side of 30.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 50-1.

Over/under wins 9.

Expectations: Carolina should compete for fifth postseason berth in past six seasons barring any more injuries. But can Panthers get by New Orleans? Saints swept all three games last season, including playoff.

ATLANTA (11-7)

Strengths: Falcons were highest-scoring team in league two seasons ago, but struggled to middle-of-pack showing in first year under offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. With plenty of playmakers surrounding QB Matt Ryan — most notably WR Julio Jones — Atlanta is expecting significant improvement in Year 2.

Weaknesses: Kicker Matt Bryant has been one of team’s most reliable players, but he’s 43 and team sparked more concern when it signed former Raiders K Giorgio Tavecchio before final preseason game. Jones had only three TD catches, the second-lowest total of career.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 20-1.

Over/under wins 9½.

Expectations: Time is now for Atlanta, especially on offensive side. Ryan is 33, Jones is 29, RB Devonta Freeman is coming off injury-plagued season. Clearly the window is narrowing for franchise that is still scarred by blowing 25-point lead in Super Bowl two seasons ago.

Weaknesses: Anemic pass rush produced league-worst 22 sacks in 2017. Also ranked last in passing yards allowed, 22nd in points allowed and 31st in total defense. Offensive line is unsettled at best and running game remains a question mark.

Vegas says: Super Bowl 125-1.

Over/under wins 6½.

Expectations: Chances of making playoffs took hit when NFL concluded eight-month investigation by suspending Winston for touching female Uber driver inappropriately during ride in 2016. Another year with double-digit losses will place head coach Dirk Koetter’s job in jeopardy, too.